Source: Steven Gerrard has revealed his ‘number one priority’ for Villa in the transfer market

Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard has made Liverpool defender Joe Gomez his “number one priority” ahead of the summer transfer window, with the Villains’ owners looking to invest in the club’s pursuit of European football.

According to Football Insider, Villa were very keen on signing the centre-back from the Reds during the January transfer window, with the Midlands outfit making multiple moves for the player.

Gerrard is said to be a “huge admirer” of the 24-year-old, who has slipped down the pecking order at Liverpool following the arrival of French centre-back Ibrahima Konate.

Jurgen Klopp was expected to offload one senior defender before the January transfer deadline, and it turned out to be Nat Phillips, who joined Bournemouth on loan. Gomez remained in Merseyside, with Klopp unwilling to let the former Charlton Athletic man leave in the middle of the season.

An Aston Villa source has informed Football Insider that Gerrard is already plotting another swoop for the 11-cap England international.

It is reported that the defender is the Villa manager’s “number one priority” going into the summer transfer window, and the 41-year-old is expected to utilise his connections at Liverpool to get the move over the line.

Gomez has made just five appearances in the Premier League this season, only one of which came from the starting XI. As a result, he has amassed just 102 minutes of top-flight football in the current campaign.

At 24 years of age, he will surely want to be playing regularly at the highest level, having had a regukar role in Liverpool’s 2019/20 title-winning season.

Clearly a talented player given his international experience and prestigious trophy haul, Gomez has been championed by Klopp, who claimed that the